Pneumatic concentrator.



H. D. 0. JOHNSON.

FNEUMATIC CONCENTRATOR..

APPLICATION man 1AN.25. i913.

Patented May 11, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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1HE MORRIS PETERS CO4. PHoTc-LITHO., WASHINGTUN. D4 C.

H. D. O. JOHNSON.

PNEUMATIC CONCENTHATR.

APPucAT'mN man 11111.25. 1913.

1,139,186, Patented May 11, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2 .52922.

IJOHNSON,

PNEUMAIC CONCENTRATOR.

APPLLcATloN FILED JAN. 25. |913.

Patented May 11, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

THE NDRRIS PLTERS O0.. PHOIG-LITHG.. WASHINGTUN. D. C.

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AfrnN onen.

RENO D. O. JOHNSON, 0F NAZAIRETI-I, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO JOSEPH A. HORNER,

` OF BATH, PENNSYLVANIA.

PNEUMATIG CONCENTRATOR.

Application filed January 25, 1913.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, RENO D. O. JOHNSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Nazareth, in the county of Northampton and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Pneumatic Concentrators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention, generally considered, relates to a method of concentration and to concentrators designed to separate dry sized materials of different specific gravities, or a mixture of such, by passing the material or materials through a steady, regular current of air moving in a direction opposite to that taken by them, such current picking up and carrying off the lighter, valueless parts, but permitting the heavier parts to continue on their course so as to be collected in a suitable receptacle provided for the purpose.- The air containing the lighter parts or tailings is carried through a settling chamber in which they separate by gravity from the air and fall into a receptacle, to be withdrawn therefrom as occasion demands. y

The object of the invention-viewed as an apparatus-is to provide a simple structure for carrying out the above described operation in an economical manner, and comprises a vertical sorting or separating flue open at its lower end through which a current of air is drawn by a suction fan or pump. Through the shorter side of the flue about midway of its length, the material to be separated is admitted and allowed to fall by gravity against the ascending current of air. The specific gravity of the heavy valuable portions of the material is such that they are not held in suspension in the moving current of air, but continue falling and pass out of the flue to collect in a receptacle below. TheV light tailings are carried by the ascending current through the {iue and out the same at the top into a chamber connected thereto, which chamber is provided with a valve for regulating the force of the air current. The air travels more slowly through this chamber, thus enabling the larger part of the tailings to settle therein, while the air passes through the valve, adjusted for the purpose, and out of the apparatus.

wWith this as the principal object in view, the apparatus consists of the novel construc- Speccaton of Letters Patent.

Patented May 11, 1915.

Serial No. 744,168.

tion, combination and arrangement of parts had to the accompanying drawings in which- Figure l is a vertical section of a simple form of concentrating apparatus provided with two sorting or separating flues. Fig. 2 is a similar view, on enlarged scale, through one of the flues and the feed trough. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view of the flue on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a vertical `sectional view of a modified form of concentrating'apparatus for'sepa` rating a mixture of materials of different specific gravities. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a modified form of air inlet nozzle or mouth for the separating flue.

In Figs. 1 to 3 of the'drawings, 10 indi- Cates a feed hopper into which the material to be separated is directed by a trough or chute 11. The hopper 10 has a converging bottomy 12 which terminates in a narrow outlet spout 13 containing a gate 14, which may be opened to a greater or lesser extent by a handle or wheel 15 to regulate the feed of material to the sorting or separating flue 16. Below the spout 13 is an inclined guiding board 17 on which the material falls, and down which it runs to enter the'separating flue 16 through a feed opening 18.

The sorting or separating flue 16 is in the form of a fiat, thin, straight tube vertically placed with one of its narrow sides 19 coincident to the adjacent side of the feed hopper 10, against which side 19 the lower end of the guiding board 17 abuts, and through which the feed opening 18 is formed. The broad sides 20 of the flue 16 are preferably of glass through which the flow of material may be observed, whereby the feed of the material may be adjusted to the force of the air current. One side 21, or if desired both sides, of the feed hopper including the area of the closed casing 22.

of the bin t0 run out. The lower end of the separating {iue has an outwardly flaring mouth 25 spaced from the bin 23 to allow air to enter the flue. By flaring the mouth 0n easy curves there is no danger of cross currents within the iue, which are detrimental to the proper working of the apparatus.

Un the side of the flue 16 opposite the feed hopper 10 is a settling chamber 26 connected with the open upper end of the flue. The bottom of this chamber inclines downwardly from the top of the flue to a vertical wall 27, at the top of which is an outlet port 28 guarded by a valve 29, which may be adjusted from without the apparatus to regulate the current of air through the {iue generated by a suction fan 30. At the junction of the vertical wall 27 and the bottom of the settling chamber 26 is a swinging gate 31 held closed by a weight, which gate on being opened allows the contents of the settling chamber to fall into a bin 32, the latter being provided with an outlet spout and a sliding gate 33. lVithin the settling chamber 26 is a deflecting plate 34 which serves in part to direct the air from the flue to the bottom of the settling chamber, and prevent it passing in a direct line to the outlet port 28. n

In one form of my apparatus, illustrated in Fig. 1, are shown a central bin or receptacle 82, with a separating flue 16 on each side thereof, and an independent feed hopper 10 and a settling chamber 26 for each flue. A single suction fan 30 will be suiiicient, the ports 28 being placed near the inlet pipe of the fan as shown. If desired and the work demands, a large number of ues 16 may be placed side by side, without occupying a great amount of room owing to the narrowness of the flues, as particularly shown in Fig. 3.

The partial vacuum within the apparatus created by the fan 30 is constantly maintained by `means of an inwardly opening valve 35 at the top, and which is held closed by a spring 36 which may be adjusted to suit the vacuum.

The operation of the apparatus as so far described and a further detailed statement of the construction and action of certain of its parts, may be stated as follows: The material to be separated runs down the chute 11 into the feed hopper 10. This material must be dry and sized, the variety of sizesfwhich may be treated at one operation depending upon the differences in specific gravities of the componentparticles.V The greater the difference in specific gravities the greater the permissible range in sizes. YFrom the .fr-ed hopper 10 the material falls through the gate 14 onto the guiding board 17 and, Vsldng down this board and through the feed opening 18, passes into the iue 16;' Itr is essential that this feed opening be remote from the mouth of the flue, and also that there shall be opposite said opening a wide space inasmuch as it is at this point that the disengaging of the particles from one another takes place. In other words, an eX- tended frontage is needed at the point where the opening is situated. The flue 16 in horizontal section, as already stated, forms a flattened rectangular figure. as seen, for eX- ample, in Figs. 2 and 3. and it is essential that the opening 18 shall be placed at the narrow side or edge of the `flue, so that the material shall be introduced in a direction as nearly horizontal as is possible consistent with the How, and that the velocity of delivery shall befas little as is practicable. The material having entered the iue, the concentrating and separating action begins, that is to say, as soon as the particles are able to pass one another and become disengaged. In these more or less hindered movements the particles travel in a more or less horizontal direction, hence the necessity of providing a wide space in front of the feed opening 18. Therefore, as. distinctive from the prior art as known to me, I place the opening along the short side or edge of a Hue having sides comparatively much greater in length than the length of the edge at which the opening is placed, and

without ample space in front of the feedr opening the disengagement or disentanglement of the particles of different specific gravities is impossible, and concentration cannot be effected. By giving to the flue the flat, thin and straight construction described, and arranging the feed opening in the stated relation thereto, am able to accomplish a high degree of concentration of the most diflicult ores. The flue must be narrow to adapt it to a uniform vertical current, for in flueshaving sides approaching equality in length it is impossible to prevent such vertical movements of the air as interfere with the concentrating action by throwing the particles against the sides of the flue. The particles coming in contact with the sides of a fine of substantially equal dimensions, are checked in their normal moyement, and accumulation of material along vertical lines against the sides is permitted. 1When this occurs the vertical current becomes overloaded at such points with the consequent plunging of a mass of unconcentrated material into the concentrates below.

-Such objections are obviated by my invention. The fan 30, exhausting the air from the apparatus, causes a current of air to pass in a more or less vertical direction through the Hue. This current must be uniform in velocity and without cross or eddy cffrrents. Therefore, the entrance for air to the flue is made with an outwardly deiiected or curved mouth, by means of which the air is quietly directed into the Hue, and eddy currents which tend to form in Huids when passing around sharp curves are prevented. The casing 22 below the feed hopper is sealed airtight, and a suiiicient quantity of material is maintained in the feed hopper to prevent air from entering the Hue through said hopper, as a draft of air passing through the feed opening 18 into the Hue would interfere with the working of the machine by projecting the material across the The material enters the Hue 16 about midway its length through the feed opening 18, which may be of the same width as the Hue and, falling through the ascending current of air, the heavy valuable parts or concentrates continue to fall and enter the bin or receptacle 23. The lighter particles or tailings are carried by the current of air upwardly through the Hue into the settling chamber 26, and striking the deflecting plate 34 are directed downwardly into the lower part of the chamber. Here the tailings separate from the lair and fall to the bottom of the chamber, escaping through the weighted gate 31 into the bin 32. The air then passes to the top of the chamber 26 and is drawn through the port 28 to the fan. The strength of the current is regulated by means of the valve 29, the valve of each Hue being independently controlled. The size of the feed opening 18 may be varied as to either dimension in accordance with requirements.

A modified form of the apparatus is represented in Fig. 4 which shows the separating Hue made in several sections, three being here shown and numbered 16a, 16h, 16C. These sections increase in cross sectional area from below upward, as shown, for the purpose of separating a mixture of materials of different specific gravities. Material entering the flue at 18 encounters the ascending air current as hereinbefore described, and all but the heavierparticles are carried out of the section 16a into that 16b which, having a larger area, allows'the air to travel therethrough with reduced velocity. vThe supporting capacity of the air is here lessened, so that material just heavy enough to beraised in the flue section 16a will be permitted to fall when it enters the section 1Gb. ln falling, the material is carried tothe sides of the Hue and enters the channels 40 at the junction between the sections 16 and 16, these channels leading off to screw or other conveyers 41 for delivering the material into a bin placed for the purpose. A further reduction of the velocity of the air takes place in passing from the section 1Gb to section 16, and particles that cannot be sustained in the lessened current fall into channels 42, similar to those 40, and pass thence to conveyers 43. The

and preferably is, sectionalized, as shownk by 25a, Figs. 4 and 5. As there shown, the nozzle or mouth is divided by longitudinal and transverse partitions 48 into a number of small channels 49, which prevent the formation of eddies and cross currents that would interfere with the concentration. These partitions, instead of terminating at the top of the nozzle 25a, may'eXtend a greater or lesser distance beyond that point, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 4, to prevent vortices. The word sectionalized here used with reference to the Hared mouth is therefore intended to describe a formation in which a series of relatively elongated passages straight in the direction of the length of the Hue beyond vthe flared mouth are employed. Such sectionalized nozzle at the intake end of the flue introduces the air in straight vertical parallel streams and tends to prevent cross or eddy currents, and is peculiarly adapted to a Hue having the Hat cross-sectional shape herein described.

My invention' contemplates the employment of a practically continuously moving column of air or other liquid in a Hue of the character described, that is to say, prolonged and extended in one direction relatively to its other dimensions, and in the. line of trajectory or the direction of feed, whether the Hue be used in connection with a Hared mouth such as is shown more particularly in Figs. 1, 2 and 8, or with the sectionalized or subdivided mouth shown in Figs. 4 and 5, or with any mouth of ordinary type.- Such construction of Hue, and arrangement of the feed opening intermediate of the length of said Hue, as herein described, are advantageously employed in the form of a series of Hues of increasing sectional area and used with the described sectionalized intake or mouth, and in connection with a traveling conveyer whereby to carry the material to any selected destination. A Hue of this character, especially when combined witha Hared month having a series of comparatively small straight passages in the direction of the Hue beyond the Haring portion, is of advantage in the general combina tion described and shown, in which means are provided for regulating the force of the current through the Hue, and for feeding,

1GO Y settling, distributing and discharging the materials operated upon. In fact, the whole structure is thought to be composed of parts each designed to cooperate in the eecting of results in this art. This is true whether the structure shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, or one in conformity with the modification seen in Fig. i is used. Under either form of the invention substantially the same kind of flue is utilized, and in Fig. 1i, wherein means for generating a current in a direction opposite to that induced by gravity are employed with a series of iiue sections of progressively enlarging area, the common principleof operation herein described is found.

It is evident that my invention, though designed more specifically for the use of air, is applicable in some of its phases to the use of water or other liquid.

The dimensions of the sorting or separating tubes employed are to be regulated by calculation based upon the character of the material to be treated and other conditions.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. In an apparatus of the kind described, a vertically disposed separating flue of flattened rectangular shape provided in one of its narrow sides with an opening intermediate of its length and confronting an extended open space reaching to its opposite narrow side, combined with feed means in communication with said opening, rand adapted to deliver material to be treated into the iue in the direction of the opposite narrow side, a settling chamber at the upper end of said flue, and means for generating a current of air in said iiue in a direction opposed Vto that of the gravital movement of the material, substantially as set forth.

2. In anl apparatus of the kind described, a vertically disposed separating flue of fiattened rectangular shape provided in one of its narrow sides with an opening intermediate of its length and confronting an extended open space reaching to the opposite side of said flue, said extended open space being in the line of trajectory, combined with feed means in communication with said opening, and adapted to project material to be treated into the flue in the direction of the opposite narrow side, a settling chamber at the upper end of said flue, and means for generating a current of air in said flue in a direction opposed to that of the gravital movement of the material, substantially as set forth.V

3. In an apparatus of the kind described, a :vertically disposed separating flue prolonged or extended in the direction of the feed of material Vand relatively to the dimensions of said flue in other transverse directions,'said-tiue having an opening intermediate of its length and confronting such prolongation or extension through whichv the material to be separated enters the flue to fall therethrough by gravity, means for generating a current of air in said flue in a direction opposed to that of the gravit-al movement of the material, a mouth on the lower end of the flue for the entrance of air and shaped to direct the air current in a straight line through the flue, a feed hopper delivering to the feed opening, a settling chamber connected to the upper end of the iiue, and a receiving means below and spaced from the air inlet end of said flue.

I. In an apparatus of the kind described, a vertically disposed separating flue prolonged or extended in the direction of the feed of material and relatively to the dimensions of said fiue in other transverse directions, said flue having an opening intermediate of its length and confronting such prolongation or extension through which the material to be separated enters the flue to fall therethrough by gravity, means for generating a current of air in said flue in a direction opposed to that of the gravital movement of the material, a mouth on the lower end of the fiue having out vardly Haring sides of a shape to direct the air current in a straight line through the flue, a feed hopper delivering to the feed opening, a receiving means for the heavier particles below the mouth and spaced therefrom, a settling chamber connected to the upper end of the flue to receive the lighter particles, a deflector in the settling chamber, a gravity operated gate at the bottom thereof, and a receptacle below said separating chamber to receive the particles collected in the settling chamber.

5. In an apparatus of the kind described, a vertically disposed separating flue providing a horizontally narrow but extended interior space and having a feed opening confronting said extended space, the line of trajectory being conformable to the line of said extended space, feeding means communicating through said opening with the flue, and means for causing a iuid current in the iue in opposition to the gravital movement of the material, substantially as set forth.

6. In an apparatus of the kind described, a vertically disposed separating flue providing a narrow but extended interior space and having a feed opening confronting said extended space, the line of trajectory being conformable to the line of said extended space, combined with an air inlet mouth open to the atmosphere, said mouth being iiared and subdivided into a series of relatively small elongated passages straight in the direction of the length cf the flue beyond the flare, and means for causing a fluid current in the iiue in opposition to the gravital movement of the material, substantially as set forth.

7. In an apparatus of the kind described, a vertically disposed separating Hue providing a narrow but extended interior space and having a feed opening confronting said extended space, the line of trajectory being conformable to the line of said extended space, said Hue being furnished with a Hared mouth open to the atmosphere and subdivided into a series of relatively small elongated passages straight in the direction of the length of the Hue beyond the Hare, combined with means for generating a current of air in said Hue in a direction opposed to that of the movement of the material, and with feeding and discharging means, substantially as specified.

8. In an apparatus of the kind described, a vertically disposed separating Hue section prolonged or extended, as seen in cross section, in the direction of the feed of material and relatively to the dimensions of said Hue in other transverse directions, and having an opening confronting such prolongation or extension, combined with a series of superposed Hue sections of progressively increasing area in cross section, a Hared mouth or intake at the lower end of the lower Hue section, means for maintaining a current of air in said Hue sections in a direction opposed to that of the gravital movement of the material, and collecting and discharging means adjacent to and communicating with said Hue sections, substantially as set forth.

9. In an apparatus of the kind described, a vertically disposed separating Hue section prolonged or extended, as seen in cross section, in the direction of the feed of material and relatively to the dimensions of said Hue in other transverse directions, and having an opening confronting such prolongation or extension, combined with a series of superposed Hue sections ofv progressively 1ncreasing area in cross section, an air inlet mouth open to the atmosphere and situated at the lower end of the lower Hue section,

said mouth being Hared and subdivided into a series of relatively small elongated passages straight in the direction of the length of the Hue section beyond the Hare, means for maintaining a current of air in said Hue sections in a direction opposed to that of the gravital movement of the material, and collecting and discharging means adjacent to and communicating with said Hue sections, substantially as set forth.

lO. In an apparatus of the kind described, a vertically disposed separating Hue prolonged or extended, as seen in cross section, in the direction of the feed of material and relatively to the dimensions of said Hue in other directions, and having an opening confronting such prolongation or extension, means for generating a current of air in said Hue in a direction opposite to that of the gravitational movement of the material, an air inlet mouth at the lower end of said Hue for directing the entering air into straight vertical lines, means for receiving material fed to said Hue of such gravity as to overcome the force of said current, means for receiving material the gravity of which is such as to be overcome by said current, and means for regulating the strength of said current.

11. In an apparatus of the kind described, a vertically disposed separating Hue providing a narrow but extended interior space and having a feed opening confronting said extended space, the line of trajectory being conformable to the line of said extended space, combined with an air inlet mouth open to the atmosphere, said mouth being Hared -and longitudinally subdivided, and means for causing a Huid current in the Hue in opposition to the gravital movement of the material, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

RENO D. O. JOHNSON. Witnesses:

LESLIE C. WILLIAMS, GEORGE A. HAGENBACH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

